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Bird Feed: Tom Benson congratulates Pelicans staff for 2014-15 season

Plus several key members of the New Orleans core give their insight as to what's next for them and the team.

By Oleh Kosel
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

1. Yesterday, Tom Benson sent a congratulatory letter to Dell Demps, Monty Williams and the Pelicans roster thanking them for a job well done during the 2014-15 season.

"Dear Monty, Dell and all of the Pelicans Coaches and Players:

"I wanted to thank each and every one of you for a job well done this past season. We made the playoffs in a very strong finish at the end of the season. That is a tribute to your hard work and determination. You were able to overcome the adversities that face every team, but it was the way you all came together as a team that made us all very proud.

"Our fans were truly galvanized by your dedication. Our theme this year was to Take Flight. I am confident that we have begun to take flight as a team. We now must turn our attention to getting better and coming back for the 2015-16 season with an even stronger resolve.

"I am very excited about the future of our Pelicans and you have my word and my resolve to bring everything to bear to win. New Orleans deserves an NBA Championship and we have the foundation, facilities and fans to make this a reality.

Sincerely,

Tom Benson, Owner."

I'm no mind reader, but this news sounds overwhelmingly promising that there will be no changes at the general manager and head coaching positions in the near future. It sure looks like Dell and Monty can probably breathe a sigh of relief.

However, don't forget that this isn't the first time we've had clues dropped about their job safety this month. After the Pelicans beat the Spurs on the final day of the regular season to clinch a spot in the 2015 playoffs, one of the NBA's biggest insiders claimed Monty Williams and Dell Demps were off the hot seat.

2. The Pelicans home website has posted several player end of season interviews as well as Monty Williams press conference from yesterday for your listening pleasure.

They're all worthy of your time, but I found the Anderson and Holiday interviews particularly insightful. Ryan mentioned that he's looking forward to this summer because he'll be able to work on his body and strength conditioning. He claims he hasn't felt physically like himself in a really long time.

I don't mean to harp on it, but I was a big proponent of cutting Ryan Anderson a lot of slack for his results this season following the spinal fusion surgery. It's one thing to be cleared by doctors and be allowed to participate in all team activities; it's another to be on top of one's game. Anderson had practically just finished with his rehab work when it was time to start the pre-season. He never had a chance to get into top physical form. Thus, don't be surprised if the Flame Thrower doesn't have a big bounce back campaign in 2015-16.

Jrue mentioned he's going to relax first because "his leg needs to calm down a lot more...It's going to take time. Obviously, there are some things I'm going to need to strengthen; some things I'm going to need to find out. Hopefully mechanically or if it's just my leg or if it's part of the surgery. Some questions need to be answered."

When Holiday was asked about whether the procedure would need to be repeated, he replied, "Heck no!" However, he did reference he would like for a screw to be removed (even though it doesn't need to come out).

Then, he was asked why he thought he's had so many problems, "I wish I could tell you. There are a lot of questions I need answered." Fingers crossed that Jrue Holiday gets all the answers he seeks!

Do you remember that "with me, without me" scene from the movie Knight and Day where Tom Cruise's character was trying to explain to Cameron Diaz's role on the importance of her staying with him?

Well, I fully believe that with a healthy Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans will have a very good chance of staying with most of the elites in the Western Conference next season. Without him, and it'll take another great effort to just make the postseason again.

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